Set yourself up for success to become a highly skilled pharmacist by enrolling in the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program (BAAS) at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy. In a program tailored specifically for first-time freshmen, Pre-Pharmacy Advantage students earn their PharmD degree to serve as compassionate, patient-centered pharmacists in as little as five years.
It’s no secret: our graduates consistently hold higher first-time pass rates for the NAPLEX exam compared to the national average. For over six decades, the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy has trained pharmacists who continue to rise to complex industry challenges and lead as patient advocates.
While in the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program, students can pursue their Bachelor of Arts in Applied Science, all while immersed in the same academic environment as their PharmD faculty and peers. Successfully completing this unique program not only enables students to fulfill their undergraduate PharmD prerequisites but also guarantees their admission into the esteemed PharmD program.
Student chapters of professional organizations
Top 10% of nationally recognized postgraduate residencies
Professional pharmacy fraternities
Honor societies
As a pre-pharmacy student, you can earn your PharmD in as little as five years or up to six years. To do so, we place you in one of two pathways based on your academic standing.
Explore the program pathways below or review the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program/Bachelor of Arts in Applied Science requirements.
Two years of undergraduate study followed by three years of study in the professional PharmD program.
Three years of undergraduate study followed by three years of study in the professional PharmD program.
The Perspectives of Pharmacy courses provide pre-pharmacy undergraduate insight into their PharmD education. Students learn basic pharmaceutical calculations and practice skills such as sterile compounding, aseptic technique and prescription interpretation and filling. They also hear from guest speakers who discuss the various pharmacy career specialties.
The Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy invites recent Pacific PharmD graduates currently completing residencies to campus to share their experiences and advice on how to pursue postgraduate training opportunities.
This workshop focuses on helping students create a curriculum vitae tailored to their career aspirations.
As a University of the Pacific student, you can choose from 150+ student organizations. Enjoy some friendly competition by joining an intramural or club team. Trek through an off-campus excursion. Select one of three professional pharmacy fraternities or join one of two chapters of pharmacy honor societies — the choice is yours.
The Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy’s Pre-Pharmacy Society is a student-run organization that aims to bring together both faculty and students. The society regularly hosts:
Pacific PharmD graduates have consistently had a higher first-time pass rate for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) exam than the national average.
At Pacific, you will have the opportunity to work alongside our faculty members on cutting-edge research. Multiple NIH grant funded research projects are currently underway at the School.
Pacific ranked No. 58 out of 4,500 universities for the highest return of investment over the course of your career.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for pharmacists is $128,090 nationally and $144,050 in California.
Since 2007, Pacific's Medicare Part D Outreach Clinics have assisted 11,108 beneficiaries with their Medicare Part D drug plan, helping beneficiaries save an estimated total of $11.27 million.
Pacific ranked in the top 10 percent nationally in postgraduate residencies for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Resident Matching Program.
Committed faculty advisors are assigned to pre-pharmacy students from the start of admission to guide them every step of the way. Each advisor is a highly-trained, full-time Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy faculty member working to prepare pre-pharmacy students for advancement into the PharmD program.
Each semester, students meet with their advisors and the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program staff to ensure they have the support and tools necessary for success while also tailoring their study plans to achieve their pharmacy goals. Toward graduation, program coordinators and career path advisors work closely with students to provide additional academic and professional support, from proofreading résumés to preparing for pharmacy interviews.
For further information or to get connected with Academic Advising services, contact prepharmacy@pacific.edu.
“I talked to many pharmacists before choosing that career path, and I even shadowed a pharmacist at Stanford Hospital. I was intrigued by the fast-paced atmosphere in the hospital environment and was even more fascinated when I learned the plethora of career opportunities that pharmacy offered.”
— Jade Bautista, pre-pharmacy student
“Having a faculty advisor who currently teaches at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy is a great asset in working through my undergrad years and making sure I’m prepared for that next step in my education. I’ve received a lot of helpful advice, all of which has helped me in learning how to more effectively plan ahead, whether it be figuring out my classes for the next semester or the steps I should be taking now to prepare for my future career.”
— Olivia Laprade, pre-pharmacy student
To enroll in the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program, you must file a completed application under our non-binding Early Action program by November 15.
The Early Action admission program is a non-binding opportunity for applicants with a strong academic record who consider Pacific their top choice to receive their admission decision by mid-January. In most cases, students who indicate Early Action on their admission application who do not meet Early Action criteria will automatically be considered for regular admission with the March 31 decision group.
In addition to the online application, you must also send the following documents to be considered for admission:
Additionally, you may submit the following as part of your application:
Additional information for applying to Pacific:
Once you submit your application, you can check the status of your application and supporting documents by using the online application status checker.
We encourage applicants — and require admitted students — to carefully read and agree to the PharmD Technical Standards. We also highly recommend that all applicants review the California State Board of Pharmacy licensure requirements.
PharmD advancement requirements
To advance into the professional PharmD program, all pre-pharmacy advantage students must meet the following requirements:
Successfully completing each of these requirements guarantees admission and extends students the opportunity to earn a blended bachelor of arts in applied science (BAAS) while in the PharmD program.
There is no formal “pre-pharmacy advantage” available to a student who transfers to Pacific. We offer excellent undergraduate programs to which students are welcome to apply; however, once admitted, undergraduate transfer students compete with those applying from other institutions for space in the PharmD program. Therefore, it is important to submit your application as soon as possible and maintain academic merit once matriculated.
Earn your PharmD in five or six years while learning and researching alongside award-winning faculty and students when you enroll in the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program at Pacific.
Ready to make a difference in the field of pharmacy? Apply to the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy today!
209.946.2563
prepharmacy@pacific.edu
Marcus C. Ravnan, PharmD, FCSHP, FASHP
Professor, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Melanie A. Felmlee, PhD
Associate Professor, Director of the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program
Kim Eayrs
Coordinator of the Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program
Priscila Palacios
Pharmacy Undergraduate Programs Success Coach
3601 Pacific Avenue
Stockton, CA 95211
